Federal Mediation And Conciliation Service News

General Dynamics announced today that the negotiating teams from Bath Iron Works and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local S6 reached agreement last night on mutually acceptable terms to end the ongoing strike by shipyard workers in Bath, Maine. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service deputy director Rich Giacolone and IAM International President Robert Martinez helped to facilitate the tentative agreement.“We are pleased to have reached agreement with our union partners and look forward to getting back to the job of building ships for the U.S. Navy,” said Phebe Novakovic, chairman and chief executive officer.

Contract negotiators between striking Alaska ferry boat workers and state officials have reached a tentative deal to end a 9-day-old walkout that has shut down the state Maritime Highway System, a federal mediator said on Friday.About 420 members of the Inlandboatmen's Union of the Pacific (IBU) walked off the job on July 24, idling a ferry network that serves more than 30 coastal and island communities statewide. It was the first strike against the Alaska Maritime Highway System in 42 years.The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service…

Given the uncertainty of the situation faced on the US West Coast, Hapag-Lloyd would like to offer a port status update: Status of Ports: Vessel production across the West Coast remains lower than normal. Vessels have been forced to anchor due to slow vessel turn times in the ports. Backlog of anchored vessels continues to grow in Seattle/Tacoma, Oakland and Los Angeles/Long Beach. Customers and truckers are urged to watch terminal notices on export receiving windows as they are changing due to vessel delays. Status of PMA/ILWU Negotiations: As of Monday January 5, 2015, both parties have agreed to utilize the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) in continuing negotiations.

Allison Beck, Acting Director of the U.S. "In response to a joint request for assistance from the parties, collective bargaining between ILWU and PMA representatives will continue as soon as possible under the auspices of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS). We are prepared and ready to render prompt assistance. As is Agency practice, the FMCS is not releasing information regarding future meeting dates and locations. In addition, the FMCS will have no further comment at this time regarding the status or substance of the negotiations. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, created in 1947, is an independent U.S. government agency whose mission is to preserve and promote labor-management peace and cooperation.

The U.S. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) has received a request from representatives of the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) to provide mediation services in the PMA’s continuing labor negotiations with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) for a collective bargaining agreement covering all west coast ports.    FMCS said it has been closely monitoring these negotiations for some time in accordance with its statutory responsibilities and has stood ready to provide mediation services.  In light of PMA’s request, and consistent with the voluntary nature of the mediation process, FMCS mediators will reach out to the parties to determine whether and when mediation assistance would be most valuable.

The U.S. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) announced today that it has received a request from representatives of the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) to provide mediation services in the PMA's continuing labor negotiations with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) for a collective bargaining agreement covering all west coast ports. In accordance with its statutory responsibilities, the FMCS has been closely monitoring these negotiations for some time and has stood ready to provide mediation services at a moment's notice. In light of PMA's request, and consistent with the voluntary nature of the mediation process, FMCS mediators will promptly reach out to the parties to determine whether and when mediation assistance would be most valuable.

FMCS Statement on Labor Negotiations Between the ILWU and Pacific Northwest Grain Handlers. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service issued the following statement (PM / 9 July) on the labor negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and Pacific Northwest grain handlers: "Negotiators for the Grain Group and the ILWU met on July 8 and 9 under the auspices of the FMCS. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, created in 1947, is an independent U.S. government agency whose mission is to preserve and promote labor-management peace and cooperation. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 10 district offices and 67 field offices, the agency provides mediation and conflict resolution services to industry, government agencies and communities.

“Today’s vote ratifying a new, long-term master labor contract is welcomed news to the nation’s retailers, who have been on pins-and-needles for the past year due to the possibility of a supply chain disruption along the 14 East and Gulf Coast container ports. “The ILA and United States Maritime Alliance should be commended for reaching today’s pinnacle vote, and doing so without engaging in any disruption, stoppage, lockout or strike. “The retail industry would also like to recognize the dedication of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) and the hard work of FMCS Director George Cohen and his team of negotiators, who managed to keep both sides at the table to hammer out this deal. “The nation’s ports are our economic lifeline to the world.

Update on United States Maritime Alliance and International Longshoremen's Association labor contract negotiations. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Director George H. "The United States Maritime Alliance and the International Longshoremen's Association conducted negotiations during the three day period January 15-17, 2013. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, created in 1947, is an independent U.S. government agency whose mission is to preserve and promote labor-management peace and cooperation. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 10 district offices and 67 field offices, the agency provides mediation and conflict resolution services to industry, government agencies and communities.

Statement by FMCS Director George H. "The container royalty payment issue has been agreed upon in principle by the parties, subject to achieving an overall collective bargaining agreement. The parties have further agreed to an additional extension of 30 days (i.e., until midnight, January 28, 2013) during which time the parties shall negotiate all remaining outstanding Master Agreement issues, including those relating to New York and New Jersey. "Given that negotiations will be continuing and consistent with the Agency's commitment of confidentiality to the parties, FMCS shall not disclose the substance of the container royalty payment agreement.

Statement by FMCS Director George H. Cohen on East Coast Ports Labor Negotiations. The following is being released by Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service: "FMCS Director George Cohen has called a meeting of the ILA and the Maritime Alliance in advance of the December 29th expiration of the contract extension. The parties have agreed to attend. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, created in 1947, is an independent U.S. government agency whose mission is to preserve and promote labor-management peace and cooperation. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 10 district offices and 67 field offices, the agency provides mediation and conflict resolution services to industry, government agencies and communities.

The longshoremen and West Coast shippers have reached a tentative pact that addresses issues relating to pension benefits and arbitration procedures, including technological advancements. The agreement will allow the introduction of technology that would improve the flow of cargo through the West Coast terminals. The entire agreement which was announced late Saturday must be approved by members of the ILWU. Negotiations were guided by Peter Hurtgen, director of the Federal Mediation Conciliation Service. In a statement, the president said: "I am very pleased that labor and management have reached an agreement concerning the West Coast Ports. This agreement is good for workers, good for employers, and it's good for America's economy.

Statement by FMCS Director George H. Cohen on United States Maritime Alliance & International Longshoremen's Association labor negotiations. " Upon the request of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), the parties have agreed to resume negotiations under our auspices during the week of September 17, 2012. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, created in 1947, is an independent U.S. government agency whose mission is to preserve and promote labor-management peace and cooperation. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 10 district offices and 67 field offices, the agency provides mediation and conflict resolution services to industry, government agencies and communities.

Retail Container Imports to Increase 8.5 Percent in September; Strong Holiday Numbers Expected Despite Threat of Port Strike. Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to increase 8.5 percent in September compared with the same month last year, and strong increases are expected into the holiday season despite talk of a possible strike at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates. “Retailers are bringing in more merchandise for the holiday season this year. The question at some ports is whether longshoremen will be on the docks to unload it,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said.

Statement by FMCS Director George H. I am pleased to announce that at the close of today's productive negotiation session, in which progress was made on several important subjects, the parties have agreed to extend the collective bargaining agreement due to expire on September 30, 2012 for a ninety (90) day period, i.e. through December 29, 2012. In taking this significant step, the parties emphasized that they are doing so "for the good of the country" to avoid any interruption in interstate commerce. This extension will provide the parties an opportunity to focus on the outstanding core issues in a deliberate manner apart from the pressure of an immediate deadline. The negotiations on the Master Agreement will be conducted during the same time frame as negotiations for local agreements.

Statement issued by Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) extends bargaining agreement period to 29, Dec. 2012. In full the statement by FMCS Director George H. "I am pleased to announce that at the close of today's [20, Sept. 2012] productive negotiation session, in which progress was made on several important subjects, the parties have agreed to extend the collective bargaining agreement due to expire on September 30, 2012 for a ninety (90) day period, i.e. through December 29, 2012. In taking this significant step, the parties emphasized that they are doing so "for the good of the country" to avoid any interruption in interstate commerce.

Statement by FMCS Director on United States Maritime Alliance & International Longshoremen's Association Labor Negotiations. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) director George H. "I am pleased to announce that five days of productive negotiations between the parties concluded on Saturday and that negotiations will resume next week under the auspices of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. Further, I wish to commend the parties for their hard work and commitment to this process. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, created in 1947, is an independent U.S. government agency whose mission is to preserve and promote labor-management peace and cooperation.

The ILWU Local 63 Marine Clerks Office Unit (“OCU”) remains on strike at terminals in the Ports of Los Angeles & Long Beach. ILWU long shore locals continue to honor the OCU pickets and operations are completely shut down in APM Terminals. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Director George H. "Based on a joint request from the parties, negotiations between the International Longshoremen and Warehouse Union Office Clerical Workers and the Harbor Employers Association will be conducted under FMCS auspices. I and Deputy Director Scot L. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, created in 1947, is an independent U.S. government agency whose mission is to preserve and promote labor-management peace and cooperation.

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (US) calls meeting & parties in conflict over East Coast ports new contract agree to attend. Statement by FMCS Director George H. “FMCS Director George Cohen has called a meeting of the ILA and the Maritime Alliance in advance of the December 29th expiration of the contract extension. The parties have agreed to attend. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, created in 1947, is an independent agency whose mission is to preserve and promote labor-management peace and cooperation. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with two regional offices and more than 70 field offices, the agency provides mediation and conflict resolution services to industry, government agencies and communities.